þonne

þonne is a word from Old English (Anglo-Saxon) that functions as an adverb and a subordinating conjunction meaning “then” or “when.” It marks temporal relations and is used to connect clauses that describe sequence in time or a time-related condition. In Old English texts, it appears in both prose and poetry to indicate the time at which an action occurs or follows another event.

Spelling and form: The form is written with the letter thorn (þ) as þonne. It is the standard Old English form for expressing this meaning and is the ancestor of the modern English adverb “then.” The word is typically viewed as a temporal connector that aligns with the sense of succession or timing.

Etymology and cognates: þonne is a Germanic cognate form associated with similar temporal terms in other North Sea Germanic languages. The general sense of “then” or “when” is shared across related languages, and the Old English form is historically linked to the development of the modern English word “then.”

Usage notes: In early English, þonne could appear in various temporal constructions and, in some textual contexts, co-occur with other time-related particles such as þā to convey subtle nuances of time. Its primary function remains a temporal connector, distinguishing it from other Old English time-related words that might serve different roles in a sentence.

Modern English: The direct descendant of this form is the modern adverb “then,” which retains the core temporal meaning. Over the centuries, spelling and pronunciation shifted, but the basic function of indicating time sequence or the moment following another event persisted.

See also: Old English language; thorn (letter); history of the English language.